La. Gov. Supports Abortion Ban

With Many Basic Needs Still Unmet, Louisiana Governor Focuses on Criminalizing Abortion; Bill Is Ultimate Illustration of Misplaced Priorities

WASHINGTON, DC — Planned Parenthood Federation of America today denounced Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco for her willingness to jeopardize the health and safety of women by criminalizing abortion. In an interview with the Associated Press on Thursday, Gov. Blanco said that she would sign a ban on abortion that is currently pending in the Senate. With Louisianans continuing to face many unmet needs a year after Hurricane Katrina and at the start of the new hurricane season, the legislature's focus on restricting abortion access is the ultimate illustration of misplaced priorities.

"Elected officials should stop playing politics with women's safety and start paying attention to the needs of this state. We need homes, good education, and sound health care policy. We need to rebuild after Katrina and Rita", said Julie Mickelberry, director of public affairs for Planned Parenthood of Louisiana and the Mississippi Delta. "We don't need laws that threaten women's health."

An amended version of Senate bill 33 passed the House floor by a vote of 85-17 and is expected to return to the Senate early next week for approval before going to Gov. Kathleen Blanco for signature. The ban, which provides only a life exception, would go into effect if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade and the current Medicaid law changed.

Across the country, extreme politicians are attempting to put roadblocks between women and reproductive health care. Following South Dakota's abortion ban, 11 other states introduced legislation this year aimed at criminalizing abortion. To stem the tide of legislation attacking women and families across the country, Planned Parenthood Federation of America has launched the Stand with the StatesSM Campaign. The campaign works to give families access to the health care and medically accurate sex education they need to prevent unintended pregnancy.